Once Leslie was done, Seth turned to his fellow villains and began issuing pre-arranged instructions. “Hitter, finish the cameras. Rockslide, keep an eye on the hostages. Hourglass, cover the front door. You too, Pain. Strobe, back up Rockslide. Help keep an eye open in case there are other guards hiding somewhere. Skinwalker, you’re with me.” Using their code names felt silly, but exhilarating at the same time.

The villains followed Seth’s orders silently. Soon the only noise that could be heard was the smashing of security cameras.

Seth and Josh walked forward towards the shaking manager. He looked to be in his late fifties, with next to no hair left and a sizable gut. His large cheeks were quivering and, Seth noted with disgust, he appeared to be on the verge of tears.

“Don’t worry,” Seth said in his normal voice, “we really aren’t going to hurt anyone. We just want you to unlock the vault for us, and then you can join the others in the kiosk until this whole thing is over. Now, what’s your name?”

“J-jonathan.”

“Ok Jonathan, why don’t you lead us to the vault.”

“No,” Jonathan said quietly. “I won’t.” His cheeks stilled and he glared at Seth in defiance.

The villains had planned for the possibility that they wouldn’t find cooperation. Seth even admired the manager for standing up for himself despite being terrified half to death. He looked at Josh meaningfully.

Josh stepped forward, smiling under his bandanna. He held up his left wrist and slowly slid the knife held in his right hand into his skin until it looked like just another tattoo. Jonathan’s eyes widened. Then Josh extended his left arm, turning it slightly so the manager could see the large hunting knife tattoo on the inside of his bicep. He pulled it free, still moving slowly, then without warning slammed it into the wooden counter top with enough force to drive it in several inches. Jonathan jumped back a step in fear.

Seth snapped his fingers to regain his attention. “Please?”

Without another word the man turned and stepped quickly over toward the vault. Seth and Josh followed.

Outside, the first police car came screeching up to the curb.